Everyone knows that CPR supplies or an AED are a good thing to have around in case of an emergency, but these items are usually found at larger businesses and are not normally part of the normal family’s first aid equipment that is kept around the house. There are ways you can protect yourself against emergencies in the house without going out to buy complex and expensive equipment that will keep your family safe in the event of a fire.

Statistically, smoke alarms are the safest form of protection for your family, as they can save the life of you and your family if there is a fire. Many potential fatalities in buildings from office buildings to condos to the average home have been prevented due to this good system of early warning alarms designed to give you and your family an opportunity to escape. Smoke alarms come in many different brands and styles, with different alarm sounds, but there are two broader categories of type of alarm, the Ionization alarm and the Photoelectric alarm. Ionization alarms are for detecting flames. On the other hand, Photoelectric alarms are designed to detect smoke. Some smoke alarms opt to use a combination of both of these detection systems to detect both fire and smoke, and these are called a dual sensor smoke alarm. It is best to install both or the dual. There are detectors for the disabled too.

It is best to install one on each level of your house. It is a good idea to put out smoke alarms in the sleeping areas of your home and other areas too as this will give you the most warning in the most places, and since most deadly fires occur early in the morning or late at night while people will be sleeping. It is also very important that you install your smoke alarm properly and at the right level. Installing smoke alarms can be simple, but some models are more complex and require more effort to install. Many home alarm systems are battery powered and all you have to do to install it is stick it to the ceiling or wall if it is a brand that has adhesive on it, or screw it in with a screwdriver if not.